THE PROVENANCE OF “HEBREWS”

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21975, 26 December 1936, Page 13

THE PROVENANCE OF “HEBREWS”

The Epistle of the Hebrews. By Vabhef BtlrcH. Williams ahd Negate. 148 pp. (3/- h6t.) It has long been the belief of scholars that the Epistle to the Hebrews is a product of Alexandrian Judaism. Dr. Bureh has undertaken in this book to show that their conclusion Is improbable. He thinks that “Hebrews” was written by a Jew and addressed to Jews, who were inclined to draw back from their allegiance to the Faith of Christ and return to the beggarly elements of the religion of . their forefathers. Not only was the author a Jew, but one who Was wellf rounded in the ideas of the Hebrew orali, the lections of which, Dr. Burch belieVCs, were principal sources for the Epistle. He also holds that the Epistle was probably sent to Jewish Christians ih Antioch. The Hellenistic influences in “Hebrews” are slight and superficial. Antioch takes the place of Alexandria. Dr. Burch makes a very Interesting point here. He shows the connexion of the Maccabees with Antioch, and the influence in "Hebrews” of the Maccabean writings. His con6ltlsioh is that “the Epistle to the Hebrews presents the Judaeo-ChriStiati inspirations, for the rise of the Maccabean cult.” The book contains a very original treatment of the Epistle, and it is one that o; n 3M °P lITM saojßjuauuuoo aahpij take note of. •